Authentic Funny Leap Year Postcards From 1908
Early 20th-century Leap Year postcards often featured gender stereotypes that are absurd in today’s world. For example, in this comic postcard series, women were depicted wielding guns, axes, dogs, nets, and traps to apprehend men, who could be readily enticed with food and beverages (such as beer, cheese, and pretzels) or cash. Continue reading »
This Artist Creates Delightful Illustrations Inspired by Architectural Images of The Present and Past
Originally from the Netherlands, Adam Kosik studied landscape architecture and has been illustrating for a while. The values he aims to portray through his illustrations are those that he freely acknowledges were most inspired by architecture and the environment around man during his studies. Continue reading »
1951 Hoffmann: Among the Strangest Automobiles Ever Produced
Without a doubt, the Hoffmann is among the strangest vehicles ever produced. Its design is unlike anything else, so much so that it cannot be compared. Continue reading »
Before the Cybertruck: Amazing Photos of the 1988 Lamborghini LM002
Lamborghini’s first foray into high-performance SUVs was the LM002, which made its debut at the 1986 Brussels Motor Show. Continue reading »
Pedal Skates: The Coolest Ride on Wheels Through History
Roller skating’s popularity has fluctuated with each passing decade, with roller discos fading away in the 1980s and roller-blades making a resurgence in the 1990s. Continue reading »
Superb Photos of the Badass 1947 Norman Timbs Special
Constructed in Los Angeles by the acclaimed Indy 500 engineer Norman Timbs, the Norman Timbs Special stands as a one-of-a-kind vehicle. Timbs invested around $10,000 in its creation, a considerable amount for the period. Continue reading »
Capturing the Essence of Industrial Elegance in French Poster Art by René Ravo
René Ravo, born in 1904 in Étampes, France, emerged as a prominent French poster designer and illustrator despite a challenging start. Continue reading »
Amazing Early 20th-Century Optical Illusion Skull Postcards
Early in the 20th century, optical illusion skull postcards were hugely popular throughout Europe. Continue reading »
Vintage Ads and Celebrities’ Glamour on These Classic Vespa Scooters
The Vespa scooter, a symbol of style and functionality, was born in 1946 in post-war Italy out of a desperate need for affordable and efficient transport. Continue reading »
Turning Back the Clock: The 1951 Bell Manual for Operating a Rotary Telephone
In 1951, Bell Telephone System introduced a guide titled “The Telephone and How We Use It,” designed to aid elementary school students and others in understanding the operation of classic rotary dial phones. The guide detailed everything from basic phone use, handling emergencies, to polite phone manners. Continue reading »
Vintage Postcards of Giant Trees in the Early 20th Century
“Giant,” Santa Cruz Big Trees
Ever since the beginning of time, trees have provided us with two necessities for survival: food and oxygen. They supplied us with more needs as we developed, like tools, medicine, and shelter. Continue reading »
Frank Auerbach’s Early Charcoal Portraits Look Deep Into Human Life
German-British painter Frank Auerbach repeatedly sketched his sitters for this series of large-scale charcoal portraits created between 1956 and 1962, erasing the image after each session until only a ghostly outline remained. Continue reading »
Vintage Photos of Soviets Taking Pictures with Their First Televisions
Artists Anna Pilipyuk and Vladimir Shipotilnikov recalled how the TV was a source of pride in the Soviet Union for their project “My First TV.” They gathered pictures of people between World War II and Perestroika taking pictures with their television sets. Continue reading »
Color Images from The 1950s and 1960s that Were Discovered in A Trashcan Depict New York City in Kodachrome
Times Square, 1958, found Kodachrome transparency, photographer unknown.
Jan Wein discovered certain pictures one day. “In case you are unaware of the background, I used to live in Manhattan during Ed Koch’s mayoralty in the 1980s. Continue reading »
Incredible Graphic Posters Designed by Leo Marfurt in the 1920s and ’30s
Swiss-Belgian commercial artist Leo Marfurt was born in Aarau in 1894 and moved to Belgium in 1921, where he married in 1922. Continue reading »
Images from The Past of The Citroën U55 Cityrama Currus, the Best Bus Ever Built in History
In 1956, Groupe Cityrama, a French travel company, asked Currus, a renowned coachbuilder, to create a revolutionary bus for modern tourists visiting Paris. Continue reading »
Wonderful Colorized Images of Early 20th-Century Malagasy Ladies in Style
Wearing a “lamba” is traditional attire in Madagascar. It is worn by women in the form of two matching pieces of cloth, one around the head or shoulders and the other around the waist or chest. Continue reading »
1953 Packard Cavalier Fifth-Wheel Parking System by Brooks Walker
In 1953, Brooks Walker transformed a Packard Cavalier sedan from his California-based business, Walker Research, into one of the most renowned postwar Packards. Continue reading »
The Esquire Glamour Girl Calendar of 1948
Esquire magazine, when it debuted in 1933, was a precursor to Playboy in many respects. It featured substantial articles but was primarily purchased for its pin-up content. Unlike photographic nudes, Esquire’s pin-ups consisted of tantalizing glamour girl cartoons, initially created by George Petty. By 1939, these cartoons had evolved into double-page spreads, essentially pioneering the concept of the centerfold. Continue reading »
Photographer Misha Burlatsky Uses 1851 Technology to Capture Portraits on Glass
Born into a family of an opera singer in Moscow in 1958, Misha Burlatsky embarked on a diverse life journey. Continue reading »
Stunning Photos of Jane Fonda in the 1960s
Born on December 21, 1937, to famed actors Henry Fonda and Frances Ford Seymour, Jane Fonda became an Oscar winner twice. She has now achieved success in her own profession as an actor and political activist. Continue reading »
Superb Vintage Posters Designed by György Konecsni
From the 1930s to the 1970s, Konecsni György (1908-1970) was a leading poster artist in Hungary. In the 1930s, his classicist art deco designs first appeared on the streets. Continue reading »
Shades on Feathers: An Old Book of Color Shades Depicted With Feathers
An 18-section foldout containing 143 dyed feathers and a sample book with dyeing instructions. Continue reading »
Bizarre Vintage Christmas Cards From the Early 20th Century
The holiday season is often a time for comparing the number of cards received among friends. Nowadays, these cards typically feature charming and quaint designs, but historically, they were quite peculiar. Continue reading »
Vintage Photographs of People Dressed Up in Christmas Tree Costumes
Fashion is an integral part of the holiday season, from the classic and chic black dress, to the tacky sweaters, to the new outfits that we enjoy shopping for. Christmas fashion is as festive as turkey and eggnog. But some of these fashion choices are more curious than others. Continue reading »
